Day of remembrance

Tuesday

May 27, 2014 at 12:01 AMMay 27, 2014 at 12:25 PM

STOCKTON - Memorial Day was a time for reflection as well as a time for relaxation for many area residents, welcoming the traditional start of the summer season and honoring those whose sacrifices secured the freedom to enjoy the season.

Reed Fujii

STOCKTON - Memorial Day was a time for reflection as well as a time for relaxation for many area residents, welcoming the traditional start of the summer season and honoring those whose sacrifices secured the freedom to enjoy the season.

At the Stockton Rural Cemetery, members of American Legion Ed Stewart Post 803 held formal ceremonies honoring the nation's war dead and veterans, placing a wreath, firing a rifle salute and offering their thoughts.

Nickie Gregory, first vice president of the post auxiliary, speaking in the voice of a fallen comrade, said she would never have the chance to tell a reporter from The Record about her service.

"I chose to serve my country and I did so with my life," Gregory intoned.

She went on to call on her listeners to remember the fallen soldier and her comrades.

"We served to protect you," she said. "Memorial Day is not for the living; it is meant for me, the one who did not come home."

Paul Lubina, a Galt resident who served in Vietnam, said that just before the morning ceremony he had placed a flag at the nearby gravesite of his uncle Cedro Lubina, who served the Army in World War II.

Memorial Day should be dedicated to the nation's war dead and veterans, he said.

"You should honor them," he said. "They have honored you."

Trina Mendez of Stockton, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Alfredo, and their three children, ages 3, 9 and 11, said the family was in attendance "to show respect to the people who served (to protect) our lives and our freedoms. God bless them."

Mark Walding of Stockton said Memorial Day is a day to remember those who served our country.

But with the thermometer headed to a high of 95, he was also taking time Monday afternoon to launch his personal watercraft on the Deep Water Channel at Louis Park.

"I worked all weekend, so I want to take advantage of it," Walding said.

Also looking to cool off was Lorraine Kane of Wilton.

She was at the Pixie Woods water fountain, shaped like a dragon, introducing her granddaughters, Georgia Camaren and Grace Grisler to the tickling delights of water sprays on a hot Valley day.

"It's a great way to cool off and let the kids have fun," she said.

Her son-in-law, Patrick Grisler, shared those sentiments, but he also reflected on the meaning behind the holiday.

"It's great to have a day to remember the guys who served to allow us to do stuff like this," the Stocktonian said.

Dena Martin, a former Stockton resident, now hailing from Modesto, also visited Pixie Woods.

She watched her daughter Shiloh Debrutz take her great-granddaughter, Skyla Skygar, 2, on the merry-go-round.

"It's perfect," she said of the area, recalling bringing her own children to Pixie Woods as well as Lodi's Mickey Grove Park for outings.

"They've made a lot of improvements," Martin said of the children's park. "It seems to be more shaded. I like that about it."

But her weekend was not all about little ones.

Martin noted she had earlier honored her late brother, Ronnie Merrell, a Vietnam veteran, and late uncle, Cecil West, who served in World War II.